Our second most successful manager, who left the hotseat after the 2002 World Cup, was yesterday reappointed on a two-year contract worth €2.4million.

And there was an eruption of laughter when the 59-year-old spoke about how Ireland’s record goalscorer Keane wriggled his way into a new job.

McCarthy said: “It was suggested to me, by him, by Robbie. At first I thought, ‘You cheeky b******s’ to be quite honest. But he is cheeky, he played cheeky, but then I copped that Robbie will bring his special talents to the squad. For all of those players he’s a hero for what he did with our team. They will learn from Robbie.”

The former Ipswich boss quashed any suggestion he was not happy with the contract he has been offered – as Stephen Kenny is primed to take over after Euro 2020.

And he revealed he was set to meet the new Ireland Under-21 manager last night and added: “He’s buying dinner apparently.”

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FAI Chief Executive John Delaney confirmed Kenny, 47, will be in charge of all the under-age teams until he takes the reigns of the senior side.

Meanwhile, McCarthy was in jovial mood as he spoke about his delight at returning to the job after notable success during his previous six-year term.

He said: “I was never, ever going to turn down the chance to come back and take the job.

“My answer to that always is that if I was out of work and there was a possibility of taking up the job then of course I would love to be manager again. We will see that’s a good decision won’t we in two years time but I’m looking forward to it, it’s great.” And McCarthy stressed the average lifespan of a manager in England’s Championship, where he last managed, is just 11 months and he is pleased with 24 months, but hinted it could be extended if he is successful.

He said: “I went to see John [Delaney] and Ruud [Doktor] and it was explained to me the job was for two years and I’m happy with that. It is two years and trying to qualify for the European Championships.

“If we do really well and get to the final and win it, then there might be a push for me to stay. There might also be a job going in the Premier League and I might move on there. If we do badly and I don’t qualify then you won’t hear from me anyway. It works for me.

“I would think if I was taking the job for two years then yes, it was kind of vital I qualify,

“As I’ve said before if I do and we do well then I can hand it over to Stephen and that would be wonderful.

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“Ultimately it is results that count. If we don’t qualify I guess I will be off then Stephen might be taking it on. I’ve accepted it, and that’s the way it’s going to be... I might get a big job in China and retire on 10 million a year.”

Meanwhile, on the hot topic of West Ham starlet Declan Rice, who has vowed to make a decision on whether to play for Ireland or England by the end of the year, McCarthy said: “I spoke to Declan’s father. We had a good conversation.

“Declan wasn’t here for the games because he fell out with Roy or Martin. He was asked by Gareth Southgate to come up to St George’s Park. He found it overwhelming.”

McCarthy said he will speak soon to the star and try and persuade him to play again for the Boys in Green.

He said: “I’ll be doing that soon. And I suppose, and I hope, I’m a wiser manager now than 20 years ago and I can bring something new to the task of improving the team. And Declan could be part of that.”

The team’s style of play was heavily criticised recently by pundits and former players as Martin O’Neill’s tenure ended with just one competitive win during the last 12 months.

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He said: “Did you enjoy watching us play in the World Cup in 2002? That’s the style of play. With eight or 10 games to play, it is going to be about winning games. I’ve always wanted to play an attacking game.

“I played 4-4-2 the last time I was here, I won’t be doing that, the game has changed. Dominating the ball in midfield is one of the biggest things in the modern game.”

Mick said he is looking forward to getting started and embracing the “challenge to qualify for Euro 2020, where it would be fantastic to play in front of the Ireland supporters at the Aviva Stadium.”

He added: “It’s my job to get this place rocking. It used to rock when I was playing and then when I was manager too. But that’s what we’ve got to do.”

Meanwhile, on the thorny issue of Saipan, McCarthy said he wanted to draw a line under the controversy.

He added: “I honestly believe both my career and Roy’s career shouldn’t be defined by that.

“Roy should be remembered in Ireland for what a wonderful player he was. I won’t be answering anymore questions about that."